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Washington County surveyor in fair condition after 20-foot fall near Gales Creek Campground

washington county surveyor helicopter rescue.jpg

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter airlifted a Washington County surveyor who fell at least 20 feet down a steep slope near the Gales Creek Campground on July 17. He was listed in fair condition at a Portland hospital on the following day.
(Forest Grove Fire & Rescue)

Dennis M. Keister, 57, of Sherwood, is listed in fair condition at OHSU Hospital, according to a hospital spokesman on Friday. He sustained possible broken ribs and other internal injuries from the fall, said Forest Grove Fire & Rescue Division Chief Dave Nemeyer.

The incident was reported about 2:30 p.m. in the 62400 block of Northwest Wilson River Highway. Keister was part of a team of land surveyors on private property off Wilson River Highway when he fell down steep terrain, according to Nemeyer. He was conscious and speaking when emergency crews arrived.

No one else was injured.

A coast guard helicopter flew from Astoria to the area where Keister fell. The aircraft's rotor hit a tree while getting out of the area, but was able to continue its transport of Keister to Providence St. Vincent's Hospital, Nemeyer said. He was later taken to OHSU Hospital.

Stephen Roberts, a spokesman for the county's department of land use and transportation, said Keister was with two co-workers checking survey markers in the area when he fell. One of the colleagues called 911.

Keister has been a county land survey technician since April, Roberts said. What caused him to fall is still under investigation.